How To Be Your Own Best Friend
For some college students, spending time alone can be unfamiliar. It is important to get to know yourself and feel okay with that independence. Here are some tips and tricks to help you become your own best friend!
Invest in a notebook
Journaling is such a special opportunity because not only does it allow us to write down unfiltered thoughts that are taking up space in our minds, but it lets us reflect and learn more about ourselves. The point of journaling isn’t so you can create a factual list of the events that happened throughout your day. Journaling is an outlet for our feelings about what happened throughout the day, and can lead to some revelations about ourselves.
Go on mindful walks
When was the last time you took a solo walk without listening to music? There is something so peaceful about listening to the sounds of nature and being alone with your thoughts. Going on walks without listening to music can offer mental health benefits such as a decrease in stress and improved groundedness. This is also ample time to have a mental conversation with yourself: “Hi, how are you? We haven’t caught up in a while” can help you discover underlying stressors and thoughts.
Positive affirmations
Speaking kindly to yourself is so important, and it can help to start your day with some positive affirmations. Whether it is one positive phrase that you’d like to use for that day or recite every day, positive affirmations can help mend that relationship with our mind to help us be our own best friend. Think of it as if you’re giving advice to a best friend, but your best friend happens to be yourself!
Make a date with yourself
Some days can be on-the-go, and we don’t really get time to have time for ourselves. Schedule in time to take yourself somewhere you’ve been wanting to go! Whether you head to a new coffee shop or participate in a race, the moments spent with ourselves can be rare but special. Treat yourself to something you’ve been wanting to do so that you can love the time spent with yourself.
Set a morning and night routine that you love
This one is niche, but I have found that I have strengthened my relationship with myself just from creating a morning routine and night routine that I love. For example, I look forward to coming back after a long day, getting in comfy clothes, turning on some music, and reading. This is time that I get to spend by myself, which has helped me feel less weird about spending time alone. It’s helped me value my alone time amongst the time I spend with others.
Let us know if you try any of these tips and if they help you feel more connected with yourself. Have a great day, friends!!! :)